Fernando Alonso will miss Thursday’s media activities in Brazil as he recovers from an intestinal infection. Alonso, who was absent from media day the previous week in Mexico due to illness, will be under the care of specialists to ensure he is prepared for the Brazilian Grand Prix. Aston Martin confirmed that Alonso’s condition required him to return to Europe for further treatment, leading to a delay in his travel to Brazil. The team has, however, assured fans that he will be ready to race over the weekend.
Despite his health setback, Alonso participated in Mexico’s race weekend from Friday onwards, returning to practice at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. His weekend ended early due to brake issues caused by debris, yet Alonso remained positive, expressing appreciation for the support he received from peers. He described the respect and concern from the F1 community as touching and uplifting, even though the race didn’t go as planned.
Aston Martin’s Felipe Drugovich, the team’s reserve driver and a native Brazilian, will be ready to step in at Interlagos if Alonso faces further health issues or delays. Drugovich’s presence ensures that Aston Martin is prepared to tackle any last-minute changes during the event, particularly since Alonso’s return to full fitness is the team’s priority.
Reflecting on Mexico’s challenges, Alonso remained optimistic for the Brazilian Grand Prix. He acknowledged that Aston Martin showed competitive potential at last year’s event and is hopeful for a stronger performance this time around. Alonso is determined to overcome recent setbacks and sees Brazil as an opportunity to regain momentum in the championship.
Looking ahead, Alonso emphasized the need to improve Aston Martin’s performance to achieve better results. Although his previous races have been marred by bad luck, such as the brake issue in Mexico and a yellow flag during qualifying, Alonso remains confident in his chances at Interlagos. He looks forward to fighting for a top finish, ideally a podium spot, as he prepares to face the challenges of the Brazilian Grand Prix.